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Scholastic Inc.
THE HAUNTED CASTLE
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If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder. For information regarding permission, please contact: Atlantyca S.p.A., Via Leopardi 8, 20123 Milan, Italy; e-mail [email protected], www.atlantyca.com.
ISBN 978-0-545-10374-9
Copyright © 2007 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Via Tiziano 32, 20145 Milan, Italy.
International Rights © Atlantyca S.p.A.
En glish translation © 2011 by Atlantyca S.p.A.
GERONIMO STILTON names, characters, and related indicia are copy-right, trademark, and exclusive license of Atlantyca S.p.A. All rights reserved. The moral right of the author has been asserted.
Based on an idea by Elisabetta Dami.www.geronimostilton.com
Published by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Stilton is the name of a famous En glish cheese. It is a registered trade-mark of the Stilton Cheese Makers’ Association. For more information, go to www.stiltoncheese.com.
Text by Geronimo StiltonOriginal title Ritorno a Rocca TaccagnaCover and interior illustrations by Claudio Cernuschi (pencils and ink) and Valentina Grassini (color)Graphics by Merenguita Gingermouse, Sara Baruffaldi, and Yuko Egusa
Special thanks to Beth DunfeyTranslated by Julia HeimInterior design by Kay Petronio
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 11 12 13 14 15 16/0
Printed in the U.S.A. 23First printing, July 2011
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It began like any other ordinary morning.As usual, I woke up in a great mood.As usual, I scurried over to my office.As usual, I squeaked “good morning” to
all my colleagues.Oh, excuse me. I almost forgot to introduce
myself. My name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton. I am the editor of the most famouse
PHONE CALL FOR MR. STILTON!
Ring, ring, rinnnnnnnng!
PHONE CALL FOR MR. STILTON!
newspaper in New Mouse City, The Rodent’s Gazette.
The staff began our daily editorial meeting. We were in search of an idea for a new column. But none of us could agree on what it should be about.
As the reporters were pitching a few concepts, the phone rang.
I picked up the receiver. “Hello, Stilton here, Geronimo Stilton!”
B z z z z z . . . b z z z z z z z z z z z z . . . It was a bad connection.
An operator with a nasal squeak cut in. “Mr. Stilton, will you accept a collect call?”
B z z z . . . b z z z z z z . . . The line kept buzzing.
Who could be calling me
PHONE CALL FOR MR. STILTON!
collect? It was so strange!“A collect call means YOU PAY for the
phone call!” the operator explained. Well, of course I knew that! “Do you accept the charges? Hmmm? Do you accept or not? I need an answer here! I don’t have all day to twiddle my whiskers while you make up your mind, you know!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was a bit distracted by the buzzing on the line,” I explained. “I accept, of course!”
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice squawk, “Geronimo? Is that you, Geronimo?”
B z z z z z z . . . b z z z . . . I recognized that squeak
right away. It belonged to my Uncle Samuel S. Stingysnout!
